Device for retaining a lower denture in position

ABSTRACT

The disclosure is of a device for retaining a lower denture in position, characterised in that it comprises a fixing element secured to the denture, a retaining tongue sliding in the fixing element, and a cover member which also slides on the fixing element.

United States Patent Ostermann [4 Nov. 18, 1975 I DEVICE FOR RETAINING A LOWER [56] References Cited DENTURE IN POSITION UNITED STATES PATENTS [76] Inventor: Philippe-Charles Ostermann, 2,491,581 12/1949 Reichner 32/5 Lammstrasse 10,1) 763 ain, 2,644,231 7/1953 Brennan 32/2 Germany 3,267,574 8/1966 Oddo, Jr. 32/5 [22] Filed: May 1973 Primary Examiner-Robert Peshock [21] Appl. No.: 359,780 Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Young & Thompson [57] ABSTRACT 30 F A l t Pr t D ta 1 M g g pzlca [on Ion y a 72 18389 The disclosure is of a device for retaining a lower denay rance ture in position, characterised in that it comprises a fixing element secured to the denture, a retaining tongue Sliding in the fixing element and a Cover [58] Field of Search 32/2, 3, 5 her whlch also Shdes on the fixmg i 6 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures II 'I {I II ,1

I I Pl I 1\\ I Ir II 11 I III II I II II 1" Il 1 I I II I II I I L ..u 1 1I US. Patent Nov. 18, 1975 Sheet 2 of2 3,919,771

INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND OF INVENTION i The present invention relates generally to lower dentures and has as one object to provide a device for retaining a lower denture in the correct position without 1 risk of involuntary dislodgement;

The known devices for tackling this problem consists in the provision, upon the denture, of adhesive means effected either by the taking of functional impressions with special materials or by the creation in the base of the denture of cavities or valves. Afurther solution consists in theutilisation of an adhesive powder for retaining the denture.

All these arrangements and means as utilised hitherto have not provided the wearers of full lower dentures with the desired'certainty against the risk of sudden and incontrollable dislodgements of the dentures provoked mainly by the action of the buccihat'or muscles during eating in consequence of the masticatory movements, or due to speaking forcibly, or bursting into laughter etc. I v I The device in accordance with the present invention makes it possible to avoid this inconvenience. Due to the device, in practice, it is possible to maintain a lower denture perfectly in its initial position.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the invention there is provided a device for retaining a lower denture in position, characterised in that it comprises a fixing element secured to the denture, a retaining tongue sliding in the fixing element, and a cover member which also slides on the fixing element.

FURTHER DESCRIPTION AND ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION The device which is the subject of the invention is preferably fixed to each extremity of the denture in such a manner that near to the margin of the denture it touches at the height of the Linea mylohyoidea and of the mandibular pterygoideum, and the device is comprised mainly of a fixing element secured by means of pins fixed by an auto-polymerising agent to the denture and presenting in its vicinity a median slideway and on each of its edges an outer slideway, a tongue of flexible material intended to be introduced from below into the median slideway of the said fixing element and terminating at its lower extremity in a curved portion or a swelling near to which there is provided an embossment, and a cover member guided in the two lateral grooves or slideways of the fixing element and holding the tongue in the definitive position of retention.

According to a further feature of the invention the tongue may likewise be of variable form and comprise, at its lower curved portion, a transverse limb which fits into the hollow of the lower maxillary bone.

The following description relates to embodiments of the invention given by way of non-limitative example and explained with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE VIEWS IN THE DRAWINGS In the accompanying drawings there are shown, to an enlarged scale:

"FIG. 1 a side view of a device in accordance with the invention,

.FIG. 2 a front view of a device,

FIG. 3 a view in section on the line lIIIII of FIG. 2, i

FIG. 4 a front view of a modified embodiment of the tongue, and v FIG. 5 aside view corresponding to FIG. 4. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Thus as represented in the Figures of the accompanying drawings the preferred embodiment of the retaining device in accordance with the present invention is comprised of a fixing element l, a retaining tongue 2, and a cover member 3.

Thefixing element 1, of any suitable shape, has, on the one hand, on its rear surface one or more pins 4 or analogus means for its fixation to the denture 5, and, on the other hand, a groove or median slideway 6, and, finally, on each side, an outer slideway7.

The retaining'tongue 2, slid into position of utilisation from below in the groove or slideway 6, is in the form of a thin strip, for example of flexible synthetic plastics material, of which the lower extremity is a curved end portion 2 and is provided on its convexsurface with an embossment 2".

By way of variation, the lower extremity of the tongue 2 may equally well be provided with a swelling or any other suitable means for enhancing the retaining ability of the device.

The clamping and cover member 3 is formed in such a manner that by means of the disposition of its lateral flanges 3' in the slideways 7 and, that when in position more or less completely engaged its lower extremity abuts against the embossment 2" and by this fact pushes the portion 2 of the tongue 2 by a more or less large amount in the direction of the arrow F, thereby likewise ensuring, by this pressure, the holding fast of this tongue.

In order to enhance, in case of need, the effect of the gripping of the tongue 2 in the groove or slideway 6, the cover member 3 may be provided upon its interior surface with a leaf spring coming into contact with the external surface of the tongue 2.

The placing in position of the denture provided with the retaining device described above is effected as follows:

After placing the denture in position, the wearer will regulate the position of the tongue 2 in such a manner that the curved portion 2' will come into place below the Linea mylohyoidea andbelowthe hollow of the maxillary bone underneath. As soon as this position is achieved it suffices to slide the cover member 3 on in such a manner that it maintains, in the predetermined position, the tongue 2 in the groove or slideway 6 through the intermediary of the leaf spring if the member 3 is provided therewith and/or by the pressure of its lower extremity against the embossment 2". This pressure is regulatable according to desire by the wearer himself by more or less pronounced engagement of the cover member 3 upon the embossment 2".

By way of variation, and thus as represented more particularly in FIGS. 4 and 5, the tongue can be constituted by a stem 8 gently curved at its lower extremity and carrying, at this latter extremity, a transverse limb 9 which, during the putting into position of the denture, will come into place in the hollow of the lower maxillary bone. This limb 9, in the event of the case arising, in order to avoid wounds of the mucous membranes, may be covered with a cushioning piece 10 of rubber or of any other suitable supple material.

The fixing of this tongue 8, 9 can be effected equally well either by means of the fixing element 1 and the cover member 2 or by means of a simple tubular arrangement fixed directly upon the denture 5 and retaining the tongue by gripping, or further by direct securing of the tongue to the denture 5.

It can easily be understood that a denture comprising a retaining device in accordance with the invention secured at each extremity is retained in a very safe manner and without risk of inadvertent dislodgement.

Naturally the invention is not limited to the examples as illustrated and described, and variousmodifications are possible within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination with an elongated lower denture, a device for retaining said denture in position, comprising a fixing element secured to and extending downwardly from one end of the denture, said fixing element including a retaining tongue which curves downwardly and outwardly below the denture to fit into the hollow 4 of the lower maxillary bone of the wearer of the device to retain the denture against undesired upward and outward movement said tongue being mounted for vertical sliding movement in and relative to said fixing element thereby to permit proper positioning of the retaining tongue relative to said bone.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1, and a cover member mounted'for vertical sliding movement on and relative to said fixing element and relative to said tongue, said cover member covering at least a portion of said tongue.

3. A device as claimed in claim 2, said tongue being flexible, and means on said tongue and cover member coacting to deflect said tongue horizontally outwardly upon downward movement of said cover member.

4. A device as claimed in claim 3, said coacting means comprising a protrusion on a lower portion of said tongue that contacts said cover member.

5. A device as claimed in claim 2, said fixing element having a vertical medial slideway in which said tongue slides and a pair of oppositely opening vertical outer slideways on opposite sides of said medial slideway, said cover member having flanges directed toward each other and disposed in said outer slideways.

6. A device as claimed in claim 1, said tongue comprising a vertically extending stem that has a transverse limb at its lower extremity, said limb being adapted to fit into said hollow. 

1. In combination with an elongated lower denture, a device for retaining said denture in position, comprising a fixing element secured to and extending downwardly from one end of the denture, said fixing element including a retaining tongue which curves downwardly and outwardly below the denture to fit into the hollow of the lower maxillary bone of the wearer of the device to retain the denture against undesired upward and outward movement said tongue being mounted for vertical sliding movement in and relative to said fixing element thereby to permit proper positioning of the retaining tongue relative to said bone.
 2. A device as claimed in claim 1, and a cover member mounted for vertical sliding movement on and relative to said fixing element and relative to said tongue, said cover member covering at least a portion of said tongue.
 3. A device as claimed in claim 2, said tongue being flexible, and means on said tongue and cover member coacting to deflect said tongue horizontally outwardly upon downward movement of said cover member.
 4. A device as claimed in claim 3, said coacting means comprising a protrusion on a lower portion of said tongue that contacts said cover member.
 5. A device as claimed in claim 2, said fixing element having a vertical medial slideway in which said tongue slides and a pair of oppositely opening vertical outer slideways on opposite sides of said medial slideway, said cover member having flanges directed toward each other and disposed in said outer slideways.
 6. A device as claimed in claim 1, said tongue comprising a vertically extending stem that has a transverse limb at its lower extremity, said limb being adapted to fit into said hollow. 